Incredible new artificial reef for Sydney south
The largest offshore artificial reef in NSW is now under construction and more are on the way!The structure will be remarkable, made-up of concrete modules each weighing 25 tonnes and measuring five metres high by four metres wide.
When construction finishes, there will be 36 such modules that will be towed to the installation site just south of Port Hacking in Sydney’s south. And sunk.
While the modules are self-weighted, and don’t require any additional anchoring, they are just the foundation for something even bigger.
Massive steel towers will be erected on some of the modules to increase the total height of this underwater structure to eight metres.
And with that, the latest Artificial Reef will start attracting marine life, small fish and ultimately bigger predators like the prized kingfish, snapper, mulloway and John dory, even sharks and marlin.
50 FISH SPECIES
Anglers are set for a treat after the scheduled deployment of the new Port Hacking Reef this winter and the arrival of new resident and visiting fish on the back of the East Australian Current in Spring.
The complex design of the artificial reefs creates intricate habitats for a variety of fish. Existing artificial reefs have already attracted 50 species, including popular ones like yellowtail kingfish, snapper and mulloway.
The reefs remain productive for decades, are non-polluting, with a minimum design-life of 30 years. They are also are able to withstand a one-in-100-year storm event.
WORLD LEADERS IN ARTIFICIAL REEFS
Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair said the new reef at Port Hacking will be the fourth of its kind deployed by the NSW Government since 2011.
"We are world leaders in the design and construction of these reefs… we already have a number of successful reefs in both estuarine and open waters.
"NSW is known for its magnificent fishing locations and these reefs further enhance our reputation among recreational fishers."
FOUR MORE REEFS FOR NSW
But it’s not just Sydney anglers who get to enjoy the offshore Artificial Reefs. There are large manmade reefs off Port Macquarie, Sydney Heads, as well as inshore reefs in Lake Macquarie and Botany Bay.
Merimbula was recently announced as the next location for an offshore artificial reef and now the State Government has said it will soon announce the locations for four more reefs in NSW!
"Everywhere I go, fishers ask if they can have one — I can’t wait to see anglers up and down the coast enjoying the benefits these reefs have to offer," Minister Blair enthused.
The Minister thanked the efforts of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, ANSA (NSW Branch), and the South Sydney Amateur Fishing Association for securing funding through Transport for NSW Port Botany Boating and Fishing Infrastructure Fund.
More about Artificial Reefs in NSW.
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